Guard-rail for freight-cars.



No. 732,409. PATENTED JUNE 30, 1903.

W. HARRISON.-

GUARD RAIL FOR FREIGHT CARS.

APPLICATION FIL'BD MAR.16. 1903.

N0 MODEL.

Patented June 30, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM HARRISON, OF REDHOUSE; WEST VIRGINIA.

GUARD- RAIL FOR FREIGHT-CARS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 732,409, dated June 30, 1903. Application filed March 16, 1903. Serial No. 147,999. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM HARRISON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Redhouse, in the county of Putnam and State of WVest Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Guard- Rails for Freight-Oars, of which the following is a specification.

Those who have any knowledge of the structure of railway freight-cars are aware that much danger is incurred, more especially during the Winter season, by trainmen whose duty it is to travel to and'fro upon. the tops of the cars, due to ice, snow, or the like, which renders the liability of slipping very imminent, this being evidenced by the fact that yearly many lives are lost because of the above-described condition of the deck of the car. The danger is also constant in wet weather, as must be apparent, and it is the purpose of this invention to provide means whereby a falling man may save himself or be accidentally saved. The idea structurally consists of a peculiar form of guard-railing which is removably, but substantially, secured to I the deck of the car and which may be gripped by the one falling in a manner which will be. It is removably affixech;

readily apparent. since during the summer it is desirable or for other reasons it may be necessary to entirely remove the attachment because of lack of utility.

For a full description of the invention and the merits thereof and also to acquire a knowledge of the details of construction of the means for effecting the result reference is to be had to the following description and drawings hereto attached.

While the essential and characteristic features of the invention are susceptible of modification, still the preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of the upper portion of a freight-car with the guard applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a side elevation showing the device in position. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one of the brace members.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

The guard consists of railings 1, disposed upon either side of the running-board'2 of the car. The railings are so applied to the car that they may be removed at any time desired and very readily. The railings extend the whole length of the car and have downturned end portions 3 and laterally-extended terminals 4. Fastening devices consisting of eyes 5 are projected from the end portion of the car, and said eyes receive the laterally-extended terminals of the railings. Stops 6, removable to admit of removal of the railings, are disposed adjacent to the eyes 5, these stops consisting of screw-fastenings of any preferred type, the only necessary requisite being substantiality. The railings are further supported in their positions by brace members 7, said members consisting of rods bent intermediate their end portions to form embracing loops 8 and having one of their terminals bent to form engaging hooks 9. The terminal hooks 9 are adapted to enter terminal fastening-eyes 10, which are disposed at intervals along the roof of the car, and the same numberof these fastenings is utilized as is the number of the braces 7. In the drawings three braces are illustrated, but it is contemplated to use as many as is found necessary in the practical adaptation of the invention. above described serve in a manner as auxiliary bracing means toward any outer pressure against the railings, reinforcing the outer bars 7 of the braces 7.

In applying the railings to the car the laterally-extended terminals 4 are introduced within the fastenings 5, and the several hooks at the terminal portions of the braces are likewise introduced within the corresponding fastenings 10 upon the roof of the car. The stops are next disposed in their relative positions and the railings locked rigidly in place. To remove the railings, the operation is apparent. The stops are first removed and the parts disassembled in their order, as will be readily comprehended.

It is purposed that the railings be formed from metallic tubing or the like. The braces are constructed from rods bent into proper shape, as illustrated in the drawings. The

railings are disposed upon either side of the running-board, which the trainman traverses as he passes along the deck or roof of the The stops 6 car. Should he slip or fall or be thrown in any manner, in all likelihood he will be able to grasp the railing or be accidentally supported thereby.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is l. A guard for freight-cars and the like, and in combination, removable railings having downwardly-turned end portions and laterally extended terminals, fastenings disposed upon the car and adapted to receive the terminals of the railings, stop means cooperating to hold the railings in position and braces for supporting the said railings, substantially as described.

2. A guard for freight-cars and the like, and in combination, railings disposed parallel to the sides of the ear and having downwardly-turned end portions and laterally-extended terminals, fastenings disposed upon the ends of the car and adapted to receive the terminals aforementioned, stops adapted to hold the terminals within the aforesaid fastenings, and braces disposed at intervals along the top of the car and bent intermedi ate their ends to form embracing loops to re eeive the body of the railings, substantially as described.

3. A guard for freight-cars and the like, and in combination, with removable railings having downwardly-turned end portions and laterally-extended terminals, fastenings disposed upon the ends of the car and adapted to receive the laterally-extended terminals,

stops arranged adjacent the fastenings and adapted to hold the terminals within the said fastenings, members comprising braces bent intermediate their ends to form embracing loops to support the body of the railing and having their inner ends bent to form hooks, and fastenings disposed along the roof of the car to be removably engaged by the hooks of the braces, substantially as described.

4. A guard for freight-cars and the like, and in combination, removable railings having downwardly-turned end portions and laterally extend ed terminals, eye fastenings disposed upon the ends of the car and adapted to receive the laterally extended terminals of the railings, removable stops disposed adjacent to the aforesaid eye-fastenings whereby the terminals of the railings are held in said fastenings, eye-fastenings disposed at intervals along the roof of the car, and braces comprising rods bent intermediate their ends to form supporting-loops for the body of the railing and having corresponding ends bent to form hooks, said hooks being adapted to removably engage the eyefastenings upon the top of the ear, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

VILLIAM HARRISON.

Vi tnesses:

LUCY HARRISON, WILLIAM HARRISON. 

